Organization Summary

Buck Institute for Education, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Novato, California, is the industry leader in providing professional development, products, and resources related to Project Based Learning (PBL). At BIE, our vision is for all students — no matter where they live or what their background — to have access to quality PBL instruction to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life.

Buck Institute for Education currently has two divisions: PBLWorks and PBLNow. PBLWorks creates, collects, and shares high-quality PBL tools and resources with K-12 teachers and leaders across the country. PBLWorks’ expert National Faculty facilitate services for teachers and leaders that lead to sustained changes in practice. PBLNow creates PBL curriculum units that span all subject areas, grades K-12, organized by themes such as racial, social, and environmental justice. PBLNow curriculum units work seamlessly with PBLWorks professional learning services to support teachers, schools, and districts in enacting high quality PBL experiences.

Position Description

The Research Associate will support data collection, analysis, and reporting for the organization’s program evaluations, pilot studies, research projects, and key performance indicators. The position requires skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection and the ability to conduct mixed methods analyses of data to draft findings in a variety of modalities to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders. The Research Associate will report to the Director of Research & Evidence and will collaborate with team members across the organization to provide data and evidence support to be utilized to improve products and services.

Key Responsibilities

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Manage and fulfill incoming quantitative data analysis requests.

• Ensure that data are processed, cleaned, and organized in preparation for analyses.

• Work closely with team members to validate and ensure quality and accuracy of data.

• Interpret, summarize, and communicate analyses into meaningful data tables, visualizations, presentations, and documentation.

• Complete basic qualitative and quantitative analyses on datasets.

• Assist in the development of materials across multiple modes of dissemination (e.g., written reports, briefs, concept papers) for various stakeholder groups.

• Draft ad hoc reports or data files in response to specific data inquiries.

• Assist with data collection on a variety of projects as needed.

• Support the development of protocols for qualitative data collection.

• Support the development of surveys for quantitative data collection.

Project Management

• Create and follow project plans for all assigned projects, including managing timelines, deadlines, milestones, and potential budget implications.

• Coordinate work across multiple teams, stakeholders, and projects and adjusting work based on schedules and organizational priorities.

• Communicate clearly and effectively with team members about progress, deadlines, challenges, and solutions.

Contribution to Buck Institute for Education’s Mission, Vision, and Racial Equity Imperative

• Work with other BIE team members to further our mission, vision, core values, racial equity imperative, and strategic plan.

• As a collaborative team player, support BIE colleagues and contribute to the full breadth of the organization’s work and culture.

• Engage in ongoing individual and collective learning about how to advance racial equity through Project Based Learning for all students, especially Black and Brown students.

Other

• Attend Novato-based or centrally located organization and/or team meetings as needed, a minimum of at least two times/year.

• Travel 15-20% of the time.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Abilities

The successful candidate will bring this experience to the role:

• Master’s Degree (social science, statistics, or education-related fields) is preferred.

• 3-5 years of experience in K-12 educational research.

• Familiarity with the national K-12 context.

• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods.

• Designing interview protocols and collecting qualitative data through interviews and focus groups.

• Experience with survey design, execution, and analysis.

• Working with large and complex datasets utilizing qualitative and quantitative research skills, including statistical analyses as needed.

• Advanced statistical skills are preferred.

The successful candidate will possess these skills and abilities:

• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to draft reliable, accurate, and readable research products on short deadlines.

• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple audiences, including practitioners and scholars through writing, oral presentations, and graphs.

• Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills.

• Ability to work effectively in virtual environments with staff and consultants.

• Self-starter, able to work without close supervision.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and requirements.

• Proficiency with data analysis software.

• Competent with Word, Excel, Google Apps, and willing to learn additional technology tools adopted by the organization.

• Experience using Salesforce preferred.

The successful candidate will reflect these attributes:

• Integrity, a positive attitude, and self-direction.

• Extraordinary organizational skills, with high attention to detail, and exceptional focus on accuracy and accountability.

• The ability to establish and cultivate relationships across the organization.

• A team player who can work effectively within a fast-paced, collegial, work environment.

• Passionate about addressing racial equity in the workplace and in education.

• Enthusiasm for using alternative methods to collect and analyze data that show what students and adults know and can do as a result of PBL.

• Strong work ethic and a passion for PBLWorks' mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a team of professionals.

Reporting Relationship

The Research Associate is a key member of the Research + Evidence team and reports to the Director of Research & Evidence.

Location

This is a remote position that requires travel to key meetings or organization events.

Compensation

The Research Associate role is a full-time exempt position with full health benefits (including medical, vision, and dental), generous benefits including 403(b) contribution of 6-12%, and life and disability insurance. The target salary for this position is $79,800; the salary range is $79,800 - $84,000.

This is a fixed-term position, until December 2024.

Additional Requirements

PBLWorks (dba Buck Institute for Education) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once a newly hired employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

The health of our staff and our partners is of paramount importance. As such, PBLWorks follows all current local, state, and federal guidance regarding vaccinations. PBLWorks currently requires the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines for all employees facilitating PBLWorks services and strongly recommends full vaccination for all employees (regardless of work location). Accommodations or exceptions can be requested for medical or religious reasons.

As a company, we celebrate and embrace diversity. We are actively seeking a diverse pool of candidates in every hiring process. The Buck Institute for Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act).